Gender equality

Gender equality is the principle whereby women and men must have equal rights, obligations, responsibilities and opportunities. Gender equality means that women and men have equal rights and opportunities in acquiring an education, in their working lives and in other fields. The work, aspirations, ambitions and needs of both men and women must be seen as equally valuable. A person’s sex should not restrict his/her opportunities to shape his/her own life and to have a say in how the society around him/her functions. From the standpoint of societal development, this is a policy goal. The opposite to the concept of gender equality is gender inequality, not gender difference.
The Gender Equality Act has been in force in Estonia since 2004.

Gender equality as a goal

In order to attain gender equality we need to:

thoroughly analyse the gender inequality existing in society, and its causes

reduce gender gaps, and by using appropriate measures, eliminate the inequality between women and men

create actual equal opportunites for women and men to participate in all areas of public life. Members of both sexes must have equal opportunities to influence political, economic and other decisions that determine public life

ensure the equal treatment of women and men, ban discrimination and ensure effective legal protection to persons who have experienced discrimination.